Too Many Canadians in Florida?
You may be inclined to laugh, and unless you are indeed Canadian yourself, you’ll probably be quick to agree to the statement. But, this is not a question about those seasonal migratory snowbirds from the North, who’ll choke our beaches with their bleached bodies this time of year, while the seasoned Floridian is shivering cold (indeed anything below 80° F would be considered cool here and below 70° F – a hellish South Floridian nightmare). No, this is a question about Hockey culture, loyalty and indeed how to establish the former in a place where you can’t even find that most essential of essentials – ice.
So what is the crux anyway and how does it involve people from across the border? (Yes Canadians, there is a border between us – you can’t just come and go at your own convenience). Well, let’s narrow it down a bit. Pesky as those Canadians of French origin may be, according to pretty much everyone that is not from the Quebec province themselves, they did give us modern Hockey and for this alone all those that have bothered to read this far – is no doubt eternally grateful for. Yet, it is in a Hockey sense that Florida and the Panthers might do better with less Canadians.
Now let’s get one thing straight from the first drop of the puck. Nationality isn’t everything, far from it – especially when sports is concerned; a Universal language of athleticism most often prevails, but culture is important and less easily shaken off. And this is where this post is intended to strike; at the heart of the lack of club identity – outside of the Canadian core that fills this team that is the Florida Panthers.
Currently I count 12 Canadians on the Panther squad (after Cory Murphy went across the state, but including the injured Bryan Allen) and most of them are in what would be considered the core of the team, players such as: Bouwmeester, Boynton, McCabe, Horton, Stillman and Weiss. This coupled together with role players such as Stewart, Tarnasky, McLean, Campbell and Cullimore. It is undoubtedly of significance to have a Canadian nucleus in the team, as they bring a wealth of experience and sheer physicality to any club with genuine aspirations. Yet, shouldn’t there be more than three or four Americans in the squad of an American club?
Players such as Booth and Ballard bring something different to the team and its fans. Again nationality, for all I’m personally concerned – doesn’t matter that much, but for the people whom the club want to attract to the Bank Atlantic Center; it might just make a difference. The speed at which both players were taken to the fans heart might suggest this (in Booth’s case before he even started to rack up the points). There are also plenty of people out there that were elated when Craig Anderson seemed to take the goalie jersey off of Vokoun’s back at the end of last year. A coincidence?
Success is as we know in professional sports the yardstick at which everything is measured. If a franchise, in any major sport, is experiencing a string of success – the crowds will obviously pour in. But as the Panthers experienced early in its history, such periods are usually the exception and not the rule. When those halcyon days pass and success is converted into frustration and failure to live up to lofty standards – the crowds will dissipate. This is why establishing a Hockey culture in South Florida is so crucial. If one exists; the franchise will prevail no matter how tough the times become.
The challenges are numerous when attempting such a monumental challenge as introducing Hockey to an otherwise ice-free South Florida. The pitfalls are many, but contrary to general belief from outsiders, Florida actually has, literally, the seeds of Hockey success in its sandy beaches and warm climate. This because of the snowbirds that have through the years flocked in to the state, coupled with the rapid urban growth, there is a solid enough foundation of Hockey interested people – to establish a franchise on. But, while there is a base of potential fans; the appeal must also be widened in to the very fabrics of South Floridian consciousness. Success is the obvious route one, but creating a strong identity in the community, must surely be another.
Here more must be done in order to get people, and kids in particular, to lace on the skates. For this more indoor rinks and training facilities must be available to the average kid from an early age. While several projects are ongoing, more energy needs to be directed in to this mission of making Hockey more commonplace. A tough task to say the least, but certainly not an impossible one. Another way is to get more publicity and focus on the franchise. Taking a sneak at what the Blackhawks are currently doing is probably not a bad idea, although they obviously have much firmer foundations to build upon. A third is doing what I’ve been hinting all along; Americanize the sport and team a bit more. Create a stronger identity and in the same breath you’ll get a better image with the people who you hope to attract to the games.
Yes, this means intentionally signing and drafting a few more Americans. They are a rare commodity around the league (on average 4 players per team), but when you get a Booth or Ballard they are worth the investment to an American based franchise. They can become symbols of the team and help inspire kids to take up Hockey; creating a positive spiral that transcends mere game day performances and at the same time addresses some of the issues already highlighted (such as an absent club identity or lack of publicity).
So, to get back to the original, now clarified question: Are there too many Canadians in the Florida Panthers team?
Yes and no. We do want and indeed need a core of Canadians if we want to experience success in this league, but in order to establish an identity; the goal must be to tilt this current heavy reliance on players from north of the border. Consider also that Bouwmeester, Horton and Weiss are high Panther draft picks. They are talented players for sure, but the two first mentioned have both expressed or hinted disillusionment with the lack of Hockey culture here in South Florida. Understandable, but you don’t want your top draft picks to pine for the Canadian forests now do you?
Better then to draft someone who’d like living in a place like South Florida. European players for example rarely have anything negative to say about Florida and often prefer not having a Hockey circus constantly surrounding them. The Panthers have already picked up on this, it seems, and have got some Czech players to help fill out the roster. Michael Frolik being the latest success story in that respect.
But there are more countries out there than the Czech Republic brimming with talent and players whose dream it would be to fill out a Panther jersey. We are perhaps already witnessing a shift in Florida drafting tactics, as mentioned, and overall more quality American players are becoming available in those drafts – commanding high picks. My suggestion then is that the Florida Panthers make this adjustment of their current scope – from merely Canada – to taking in players from Europe that welcome the climate and what Florida has to offer more readily, without any built in prejudice. Whilst at the same time scouring for American talent to add to the fold. Add to the mix, the rugged Canadian talents; who are tired of the 24/7 media treatment, such as McCabe and Stillman, who offer a different level of experience and innate skill – and you have a pretty potent mix that will perhaps bend, but not break.
Together with a long term vision of promoting Hockey to kids, perhaps trying to duplicate the thriving Dallas recipe here in South Florida, could help solidify this franchise and perhaps shut up those people barking about Panthers being moved north.
It is a tough challenge, but one this Florida Panthers franchise must face in order for long-term survival. There are many outsiders that would like to see us fail in these endeavors; which is exactly why we can’t give them that satisfaction. This is at the heart not a question of nationality or patriotism: No, it’s much more important than that; it’s a question of Hockey!
…and keeping Hockey here in South Florida, for truly, what’s better than coming inside a freezing arena to watch giant brutes show their skill, grace and single-minded play; coated in tense Hockey laden action. Especially here in sunny Florida – we need that refuge!
